A weekly e-newsletter of
Bethesda Lutheran Church
Ames, Iowa
May 31, 2024
Pastor Jonathan Resignation
Pastor Jonathan resigned on 5/23, effective immediately. There was mutual agreement that Pastor Jonathan's gifts in ministry did not match his role of Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries. We wish Pastor Jonathan and his family the best as he does us. Pastor Jonathan is preparing a letter to the congregation.
Help Grant VBS Wishes!
Help bring Bethesda's Created To Be: VBS to life

  1. Sign your name under the item you would like to donate
  2. Tear off and take a reminder slip with you
  3. Drop off your donation at Bethesda's office or kitchen BY SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD!
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VBS Needs You!
Congregation members are an integral part of making Bethesda events a success. We are looking for volunteers to lend their time and talent to Created To Be: VBS!
Volunteers can...
  • greet attendees
  • lead crafts and games
  • help in the kitchen for morning OR evening sessions.

Sign up on the poster board by the Welcome Center to volunteer!
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US!
Thank you to all of our fellow Bethesda members for the cards and good wishes during the celebration of our 70th anniversary. It warmed our hearts to see so many there. A special thank you to Darlene and her crew for a job well done.
Blessings,
Gus & Doris
GriefShare: Loss of a Spouse
Join us June 2nd from 2 - 4 PM in the Commons for GriefShare: Loss of a Spouse, a two-hour, stand-alone, video-based event for individuals who are grieving the death of a spouse. This session works like a typical meeting.
Now Is The Time
Learn about a study based on the “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.” Now is the Time, a four-week study led by Glenn Connor and Larry Otteman, meets in person after Sunday church June 9, 16, 23 and 30 or join a Zoom class on Thursday from 7:00 to 8:00PM on June 6, 13, 20 and 27.

You can mix the two classes. Let Larry know of your interest and for which format at larryaotteman@gmail.com and he will send you the document or you can pick up a copy in the office. This study is presented by the Reconciling in Christ Ministry Team.
TREASURER NEEDED: Help the Crop Walk Leadership Team
The Crop Walk Leadership team is seeking a new treasurer. The outgoing treasurer is willing to train for the position.

TREASURER LEADERSHIP POSITION OVERVIEW:
  • The crop walk leadership team meets roughly 8 - 9 times a year to plan the October walk, but treasurer responsibilities kick in after the event.

  • Treasurer is expected to help on the day of the October walk (October 13, 2024) as many donations come in during the event.

  • Collect any checks or cash that have been turned in from walkers to be sent to Church World Service (CWS). 

If interested in the position, or if you would like further details, contact Rod Fischer at videoguy@iastate.org.
Reminisce on Vacations with O.W.L.s
Join O.W.L.s (Older Wiser Lutherans) in the Commons Thursday, June 13th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. as attendees look back on your best vacation(s). Come share memories and feel free to bring picture(s) or a souvenir to share with the group.

Sign up at the Welcome Center to attend!
Exciting Leadership Opportunity!
There's an exciting leadership development opportunity on the horizon! AMOS will conduct a 2-day training at Des Moines First United Methodist Church on:

  • Friday, June 21 from 5:30-8:00 PM, (dinner included)
  • Saturday, June 22 from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (lunch included)

Learn more about organizing and how you can more effectively impact your institution and your community. All are welcome, you do not have to be part of member organization to attend.

Cost: $35 for members of AMOS institutions; $45 for non-members

Register here by June 14th.
2024 for "Created To Be" Vacation Bible School!

Registration is $5 per child and includes a t-shirt, mid-morning snack for those in the morning session and a meal for kids coming in the evening. Please select the t-shirt size for your child when registering. We cannot guarantee the correct size if registering after May 20th.
Join Bethesda's AV Team!
We always welcome new people to assist with sound, slides and camera during worship services and other events. If you're interested in joining the AV team, contact Randy or Nancy Ewing.
Upcoming AMOS Events:
  • June 2nd, 3:00 p.m. -- Delegate Assembly. Goal to have all 40 member organizations standing together with relational power!
Give a Gift Online
Don't carry cash or checks? You can set up a recurring or one-time gift to Bethesda online, so you never miss an offering opportunity!
Splash Children's Church Needs Volunteers
Children's Church is after the Children's Message during Worship service and is for Pre-K through 5th Grade.

If you would like to volunteer to teach Children's Church, contact Pastor Jonathan Dolan or call the church office.
Oasis

Oasis is on Wednesday Evening's.
Confirmation Hangout Time for
6th-8th Grade is 6 - 7:00 pm.
Confirmation is 7 - 8:00 pm,
all are welcome!
Shelbynext
Refresher to log onto Shelbynext:
On your laptop or Desk Top Computer - https://bethesdanet.shelbynextchms.com
On your cell phone go to the App Store or Google Play Store
search for ShelbyNeXt Membership - download the free app;
On first screen replace the word domain with Bethesdanet
Enter username and password.
You should be ready to go! If you have any questions or concerns please contact Linda Fevold on Monday's 12 noon till 2:00 pm.
What's The Difference Between The Current and The Living Current?

The Current is a double-sided sheet consisting of four or more announcements that may widely affect the congregation with a schedule of Sunday-to-Sunday activities and order of worship.

The current, the physical copy members pick up each weekend, is limited to a certain number of announcements and is determined by what events will largely affect the congregation as a whole, often on a first come-first serve basis.

The Living Current, an e-newsletter sent every Friday at 9 am, consists of the larger announcements that make The Current as well as other announcements and events that may not affect the majority of the congregation. Such things may include:
  • An announcement for an event more than a month away. (As the event nears, it will be placed in The Current while holding its place in The Living Current.)
  • Ongoing support and prayers

If you have an event that you would like advertised in The Current for weekend services, submit your announcement event via email to Tess Hanson or Lynn Anderson no later than the Tuesday before you would like it advertised. Please specify where you want it to be published. If submitted after the stated deadline, it will be integrated into The Living Current e-newsletter and The Current for weekend services the following week.
Healing Prayers: Mark Allen; Ted Bailey; Andrea Blythe; Chris Brakke; Charlene Doyle; Sharon Forssman; Maxine Julius; Jan Haugen; Cecilia Horner; John Simmons; Jana Tschopp; Don Wempe
WELCOME!
We invite you to join our community, which is committed to inclusion, racial equity and anti-racism. We share in God’s abundant grace knowing that we cannot be separated from the love of God by our age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, physical or mental abilities or faith background.
Worship Schedule:
SATURDAY (a modern service with praise band) . . . 5:30 pm
SUNDAY (a traditional service with choirs, organ) . . . 9:30 am
This weekend . . . MESSAGE: Mark 2:23 - 3:6
Holy Communion served at both services, every week.
Contact Information:
Chelsey Aisenbrey, Council President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ccaisenbrey@yahoo.com
Bryan Simmons, Lead Pastor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bsimmons@BethesdaAmes.org
All other inquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . contact@BethesdaAmes.org



Address: 1517 Northwestern Ave.
Ames, IA 50010-5299
Phone: (515) 232-6256